Ball marker



Nov. 4, 1952 J HOCHMAN 2,616,368

BALL MARKER Filed April 15, 1947 HIS ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 4, 1 952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to a ball marker and more particularly to a device for manually printing names on golf balls.

It is an object of this invention to provide a golf ball marking apparatus which is inexpensive, compact, and easy to operate.

A further object of this invention is to provide a simplified means for firmly holding a golf ball while printing a name on the outer surface of the golf ball cover.

More particularly, it is an object of this invention to provide a ball holding device which grips the ball at space points.

Another object of this invention is to provide a golf ball holding device having a first recess for holding either the golf ball or the golf ball marking device and having a second recess for holding an ink pad.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred form of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a pictorial view showing a golf ball marker in use;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the golf ball holding device;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3--3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the arrangement of the inking pad;

Figure 5 is a view showing the construction of the ink pad holder; and

Figure 6 is an elevational view of the device.

Referring now to the drawing wherein I have shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, reference numeral l6 designates a base which is preferably made in the form of a molded plastic element having a substantially centrally disposed cylindrical recess [2. The diameter of the recess I2 is slightly less than the diameter of a golf ball whereby the exposed edges I i of the recess serve to firmly grip the golf ball. An intersecting oblong recess I6 is provided which serves a multiple purpose to be explained more fully hereinafter.

It will be noted that by virtue of the above described recess formation the ball engaging edges I 4 are not continuous whereby there is less tendency of the ball shifting in the recess when pressure is applied to the ball during the marking operation.

The name to be applied to the ball is impressed into the ball by means of steel type l8 carried by a holder generally designated by the reference 2 numeral 20. The holder 20 has a handle portion 24 and a type holding portion 22. The type holding portion 22 is oblong in shape and is slightly smaller than the oblong recess it formed in the upper face of the block [0 whereby the portion 22 may be inserted into the recess I6 when not in use. The handle portion 24 is considerably larger in cross sectional area than the portion 22 and serves to limit movement of the type holder into the recess [6 and also serves to substantially close the central opening in the base It]. In order to align the printing with the original markings on the ball the original markings or pattern on the golf ball may be lined up with the straight edges H of the oblong recess is and these same edges may be used for lining up the type holder during the marking operation.

By virtue of the above described arrangement, it is apparent that the oblong recess I6 not only serves as a holder for the element 20 but also facilitates the aligning of the type holder with the original markings on the ball. Furthermore, the removal of material on opposite sides of the circular recess l2 improves the grip on the ball due to the fact that the ball is gripped at spaced points rather than along one continuous line.

It will be noted that the type I8 is arranged in a straight line whereby only a few letters of the name contact the ball at any one time during the ball marking operation. In view of this arrangement the pressure applied to each letter impressed on the ball is much greater than if all of the letters were to contact the ball at one time.

A circular recess 26 is provided in the one corner of the base In as indicated for the reception of the ink pad holder 28. The holder 28 is recessed at 36 for the reception of the inked pad 32 which is used for dabbing ink on to the steel type l8 prior to marking of the ball. The holder 28 is provided with a handle portion 34 which serves to limit the inward movement of the element 28 within the recess 26.

While the form of embodiment of the invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred ,form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claim which follows.

What is claimed is as follows:

An article of manufacture comprising a base having a recess formed in one face thereof adapted to hold a golf ball while a name is impressed on the ball, said recess comprising a circular portion having a diameter slightly less than the diameter of a gOlf ball and having an intersecting oblong portion having a length greater than the diameter of said circular portion but having a width less than the diameter of said circular portion whereby opposed arcuate ball engaging edges are formed for engaging a ball, and a type holder having a type supporting portion adapted to project into said oblong portion of said recess when not in use and having a handle portion larger in cross section than said oblong portion forsubstantially closing said first named recess, said handle'portio'n having'a's'traight edge portion which is adapted to be lined up with one edge of said oblong portion of said recess during the process of printing a name on a ball.

JACK HOLIDAY HOCHMAN.

4 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 878,420 OSullivan Feb. 4, 1908 1,204,578 Lyon Nov. 14, 1916 1,281,063 Pearson Oct. 8, 1918 1,422,268 dflu pfel July 11, 1922 1,548,553 'Ranole Aug. 4, 1925 1,551,376 Duchemin Aug. 25, 1925 1,684,038 Long Sept. 11, 1928 1,733,876 Halvorsen Oct. 29, 1929 1,814,170 Long July 14, 1931 2,002,847 -Atti May 28, 1935 

